- 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (from five 4 3/4- by 2 1/4-inch crackers)
- 1/2 cup pecans (1 3/4 ounces), finely chopped
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 1/2 cups canned solid-pack pumpkin
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon bourbon liqueur or bourbon (optional)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups sour cream (20 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon bourbon liqueur or bourbon (optional)
- Garnish: pecan halves
- Invert bottom of a 9-inch springform pan (to create flat bottom, which will make it easier to remove cake from pan), then lock on side and butter pan.
- Stir together crumbs, pecans, sugars, and butter in a bowl until combined well. Press crumb mixture evenly onto bottom and 1/2 inch up side of pan, then chill crust, 1 hour.
- Put oven rack in middle position and Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Whisk together pumpkin, eggs, brown sugar, cream, vanilla, and liqueur (if using) in a bowl until combined.
- Stir together granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in large bowl. Add cream cheese and beat with an electric mixer at high speed until creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium, then add pumpkin mixture and beat until smooth.
- Pour filling into crust, smoothing top, then put springform pan in a shallow baking pan (in case springform leaks). Bake until center is just set, 50 to 60 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool 5 minutes. (Leave oven on.)
- Whisk together sour cream, sugar, and liqueur (if using) in a bowl, then spread on top of cheesecake and bake 5 minutes.
- Cool cheesecake completely in pan on rack, about 3 hours.
- Chill, covered, until cold, at least 4 hours. Remove side of pan and bring to room temperature before serving.